Raspberry plant named ‘MAJESTIC’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct everbearing variety of raspberry plant named ‘MAJESTIC’. The new variety is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California and is characterized by the following: mid-season primocane production with medium sized fruit of medium-red coloration. Fruit is of consistent conic shape, releases easily from receptacle, is glossy and possesses very good flavor. Foliage is slightly convex, medium green; possessing medium rugosity, weak gloss and equal 3-5 foliates. Primocanes have an absent or very weak waxy coat, medium thorn density of small purple spines and have very weak anthocyanin coloration.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant clamed: Rubus idaeus.

Variety denomination: ‘MAJESTIC’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct fall bearing raspberry variety designated as ‘MAJESTIC’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2010 in Watsonville, Calif. between raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,459) as the female parent and raspberry variety ‘04.3891’ (unpatented) as the male parent in an ongoing breeding program. The variety is botanically known as Rubus idaeus.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexually propagated by dormant canes in Santa Cruz County, Calif. and was subsequently selected by the inventor from a controlled breeding plot in Watsonville, Calif. in 2012. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by dormant canes, roots and non-dormant root shoot cuttings in Santa Cruz County, Calif., San Joaquin County, Calif. and Siskiyou County, Calif. The new variety was then extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Santa Cruz County, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘MAJESTIC’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary year-round temperatures required for it to produce and maintain a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from July through December on primocanes and in the ensuing year from May through July on the floricanes. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘MAJESTIC’, which in combination distinguish this raspberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Dark purple spines     -   2. High fruit yield     -   3. Medium red fruit color     -   4. Absent to very weak primocane glaucosity     -   5. Very good flavor

The raspberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new raspberry variety ‘MAJESTIC’ is the raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,459). In comparison to the similar raspberry variety ‘GRANDEUR’, ‘MAJESTIC’ differs by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 1:

Comparison Between ‘Majestic’ and ‘Grandeur’

TABLE 1 ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘MAJESTIC’ Pat. No. 20,459) Primocane waxy coat Absent to very Absent to very (glaucosity) weak weak Predominate number of leaflets Equal 3-5 Always 3 Leaf shape (cross section) Slightly convex Flat to slightly convex Rugosity Medium Strong Color mature fruit RHS 43A RHS 42A Medium red Medium red Thorn Tip coloration N186B 180C Greyed-purple Greyed-red Relative number of pedicel 22.1 16.2 thorns Many Medium

‘MAJESTIC’ differs from its parents, ‘GRANDEUR’ and ‘04.3891’ by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 2:

Comparison Between ‘Majestic’, ‘Grandeur’ and ‘04.3891’

TABLE 2 ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘MAJESTIC’ Pat. No. 20,459) ‘04.3891’ Productivity High High Medium Glossiness (fruit) High Medium High Firmness (fruit) Medium to Very high Medium to high low Adherence of receptacle Weak Very weak Medium Primocane time of Medium Medium Medium fruiting Fruit size Medium Medium Large Flavor Very good Good Good

For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new raspberry variety, ‘MAJESTIC’ at various stages of development as true as reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘MAJESTIC’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new raspberry variety ‘MAJESTIC’ were taken in Watsonville, Calif. and are approximately 2 to 16 months old:

FIG. 1 shows typical primocane foliage and fruit color; foliate and rugosity characteristics of ‘MAJESTIC’ taken in the month of May 2015;

FIG. 2 shows typical gloss, coloration, and drupelet formation of floricane fruit of ‘MAJESTIC’ taken in the month of May 2015;

FIG. 3 shows typical harvested fruit of ‘MAJESTIC’ taken in the month of July 2015;

FIG. 4 shows typical dormant cane color characteristics of ‘MAJESTIC’ taken in the month of January 2013.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘MAJESTIC’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type, and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new raspberry variety ‘MAJESTIC’, unless otherwise noted, are based upon observations taken during the 2016-2017 growing season in Watsonville, Calif. Primocane measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘MAJESTIC’ dug from a nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif. during the middle of October 2015 and planted approximately 3 to 4 weeks later in Watsonville, Calif. The approximate age of the observed primocane plants is 7 to 8 months. Floricane measurements and ratings were taken from the same planting of ‘MAJESTIC’ at an approximate age of 16 to 18 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from three years of data collected from the 2013 through 2016 production seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted. Foliage characteristics and measurements are from 3-foliate foliage unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows The R.H.S. Colour Chart Fifth Edition, Royal Horticultural Society, London, United Kingdom (1966).

The following tables 3-7 describe fruit, plant, foliage, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new raspberry ‘MAJESTIC’ in comparison to the similar raspberry varieties ‘GRANDEUR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,459).

Comparison Between ‘Majestic’ and ‘Grandeur’

TABLE 3 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘MAJESTIC’ Pat. No. 20,459) Color mature fruit RHS 43A RHS 42A Medium red Medium red Color achenes RHS 159A RHS 159A Orange-white Orange-white group group Fruit length (mm) 25.49 22.91 Fruit width (mm) 22.73 20.12 Length/Width ratio 1.12 1.14 Longer than Longer than broad broad Seed weight (mg) 1.68 1.75 Drupelets per berry 131 93 Weight of single drupe (g/drupe) 0.044 0.043 Drupe length (mm) 7.15 5.25 Drupe diameter (mm) 4.19 4.86 Relative size of drupes Medium Medium Fruit size Medium Medium Fruit per node 11 15 Predominant shape Conical Conical Receptacle length (mm) 23.55 19.15 Receptacle diameter (mm) 10.41 10.32 Receptacle color RHS 155B RHS 155B White group White group Eveness of color Even Even Glossiness High Medium Adherence of receptacle Weak Very weak Firmness of flesh Firm Very firm Firmess of skin Firm Very firm Soluble solids (% Brix) 10.8 10.5 Flavor Very good Good

TABLE 4 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘MAJESTIC’ Pat. No. 20,459) General: Habit Upright Upright Plant height (m) 1.8 1.4 Plant width (cm) 35 45 Time to initiate roots (days) 10-12 12-14 Canes per hill 10.4 6.9 Productivity High High Self-fruitfulness Yes Yes Type of bearing Everbearing Everbearing Primocane: Color (true) RHS 145A RHS 145B Yellow-green group Yellow-green group Length (cm) 178.1 143.6 Basal diameter (mm) 13.62 21.80 Diameter central 13 (mm) 11.38 12.55 Lateral length at central 13 28.5 43.6 (cm) No. fruiting laterals per cane 15.3 17.4 Total nodes per cane 35 31 Internode length at central 13 39.01 48.84 (mm) Anthocyanin coloration RHS 59B RHS 59B Red-purple group Red-purple group Anthocyanin intensity Absent to very weak Weak Pubescence Absent Absent Vegetative bud length (mm) 10.34 11.01 Vegetative bud diameter (mm) 5.46 6.11 Vegetative bud shape Ovate Widely ovate Vegetative bud color RHS 187B RHS 187A Greyed-red group Greyed-red group Strength of waxy coat Absent to very weak Absent to very (glaucosity) weak Time of flowering Medium Medium Time of fruiting Medium Medium Length of fruiting season Long Long % of total yield 44% 50% Flowering period Late June to Late June to Late November Late November Harvest period Late July to Late July to Late December Late December Primocane fruit weight (g) 4.2 3.8 Primocane yield (g/plant) 2,571 2,662 Young Shoots: Number (per meter) 15-20 15-20 Medium Medium Anthocyanin presence Present Present Anthocyanin coloration RHS 179A RHS 179A Red-purple group Greyed-red group Antocyanin intensity Medium Medium Thorns: Thorn coloration (tip) RHS N186B RHS 180C Greyed-purple group Greyed-red group Thorn coloration (base) RHS N186C RHS 145B Greyed-purple group Yellow-green group Thorn length at central ⅓ (mm) 0.70 0.76 Thorn base at central ⅓ (mm) 1.23 1.53 Thorn presence Present Present Thorn density per cm at central 5.35 3.38 ⅓ Medium Medium Thorn texture Rigid Rigid Attitude of the tip Horizontal Horizontal Floricane: Color (true) RHS 165B RHS 164A Greyed-orange Greyed-orange group group Length (cm) 130.8 119.8 Width at central 13 (mm) 10.88 12.04 Total nodes per cane 20 18 Internode length at central 13 40.70 49.13 (mm) Fruiting lateral attitude Erect Erect Time bud burst Medium Medium Time of flowering Medium Medium Time of fruiting Medium Medium Length of fruiting season Medium to long Medium to long % of total yield 56% 50% Flowering period Late April to Late April to Late June Late June Harvest period Late May to Late May to Late July Late July Floricane fruit weight (g) 4.0 3.7 Floricane yield (g/plant) 3,273 2,680

TABLE 5 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant ‘MAJESTIC’ Pat. No. 20,459) Characteristic (3 Foliate) (3 Foliate) General: Color of upper surface RHS 137A RHS N137A Green group Green group Color of lower surface RHS 192A RHS 190B Greyed-green group Greyed-green group Venation Pinnate Pinnate Shape in cross section Slightly convex Flat to slightly convex Arrangement Compound Compound Relief between veins Medium Strong (rugosity) Glossiness Weak Weak Number of leaflets/leaf Equal 3-5 Always 3 Total leaf length (cm) 21.2 22.5 Total leaf width (cm) 22.1 23.4 Terminal Leaflet: Length (mm) 116.2 127.5 Width (mm) 79.1 91.6 Length/Width Ratio 1.5 1.4 Longer than broad Longer than broad Size Medium Medium to large Shape Cordate Cordate Shape of base Cordate Cordate Shape of tip Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Lateral Leaflet: Length (mm) 104.9 105.5 Width (mm) 77.2 65.1 Length/Width ratio 1.3 1.6 Longer than broad Longer than broad Rachis length (mm) 43.1 36.2 Rachis diameter (mm) 1.90 1.92 Rachis anthocyanin RHS 184A RHS 184A coloration of upper surface Rachis anthocyanin Weak Medium intensity Orientation Opposite Opposite Arrangement Compound Compound Shape Ovate Ovate Overlapping Overlapping Touching Shape of the base Rounded Oblique rounded Shape of the tip Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Petiole: Length (mm) 61.10 59.00 Width (mm) 4.68 3.99 Thorn presence Yes Yes Thorn orientation Erect Erect Antocyanin coloration RHS 180B RHS 184C of upper surface Greyed-purple group Greyed-purple group Anthocyanin intensity Absent to very weak Weak of upper surface Stipule length (mm) 10.70 10.23 Stipule orientation Erect Erect to horizontal

TABLE 6 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘MAJESTIC’ Pat. No. 20,459) Petal color (upper surface) RHS 155C RHS 155C White group White group Petal color (lower surface) RHS 155C RHS 155C White group White group Flower diameter (mm) 21.22 22.55 Petal Length (mm) 7.46 6.42 Petal width (mm) 3.10 3.11 Petal length/width ratio 2.40 2.06 Much longer Much longer than broad than broad Petal shape in cross section Flat Flat Petal shape (overall) Ovate Ovate Petal shape (apex) Rounded Rounded Petal shape (base) Attenuate Attenuate Petal margin Entire Entire Petal texture Glabrous Glabrous No. petals/flower 5.2 5.2 No. sepals/flower 5.4 5.2 Sepal length (mm) 9.70 11.20 Sepal width at base (mm) 5.20 6.49 Sepal shape Widely deltate Widely deltate Sepal shape (apex) Acuminate Acuminate Sepal coloration (upper surface) RHS 144A RHS 144B Sepal coloration (lower surface) RHS 144B RHS 144C Sepal margin Entire Entire Sepal texture Slightly Slightly pubescent pubescent No. stamen/flower 95 105 Filament length (mm) 5.19 4.45 Filament color RHS 155C RHS 155C White group White group Pollen quantity High Medium Pollen color RHS 196D RHS 196D Anther length (mm) 1.12 0.79 Anther diameter (mm) 0.51 0.49 Anther coloration (pre-dehiscence) RHS 155C RHS 155C Anther coloration (post-dehiscence) RHS 165B RHS 165B Stigma shape Lobed Lobed Stigma length (mm) 0.10 0.10 Stigma diameter (mm) 0.41 0.40 Stigma coloration RHS 145D RHS 145D Style length (mm) 3.10 2.03 Style diameter (mm) 0.40 0.39 Style coloration RHS 145D RHS 145D Ovule length (mm) 1.39 1.51 Ovule diameter (mm) 1.42 1.40 Ovule coloration RHS 145B RHS 145B Pedicel length (mm) 20.15 23.86 Pedicel diameter (mm) 1.42 1.47 Pedicel anthocyanin coloration RHS 181C RHS 178A Pedicel anthocyanin intensity Absent to Medium very weak Relative number of pedicel thorns 22.1 16.2 Many Medium Peduncle anthocyanin presence Present Present Peduncle anthocyanin coloration RHS 184A RHS 184A Greyed- Greyed- purple group purple group Peduncle anthocyanin intensity Absent to Medium very weak

TABLE 7 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘GRANDEUR’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘MAJESTIC’ Pat. No. 20,459) Spotted wing drosophila Susceptible Susceptible (Drosophila suzukii) Two-spotted spider mite Susceptible Susceptible (Tetranychus urticae) Grey fruit mold Susceptible Susceptible (Botrytis cinerea) Powdery mildew Moderately Moderately (Podosphaera aphanis var. aphanis) susceptible susceptible Yellow rust Moderately Moderately (Phragmidium rubi-ideai) resistant susceptible 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of raspberry plant named ‘MAJESTIC’, as herein described and illustrated. 